Summary of Main Ideas

Pastor Rick Warren is one of my personal heroes. Regardless of your religious preferences, he’s a master communicator, and an inspiring voice.

He recently gave a talk about the 4 types of people that we all need in our lives to grow into successful, well-rounded people.

Models

Models are the people in our life that we want to emulate. They’re the ones that we want to be like. The arc of their life is one that you want for your own life.

Mentors

Mentors are the ones that will help you become like your models. They invest in your life, teaching you what you don’t know, and giving you the tools you need to live the life that you want to life.

Partners

Partners are the people that help you along the way. They help you take the tools that you got from your mentors, and put them into practice.

Friends

Friends are there to love and support you just because they’re your friends. Not because they’re mentors, or role models.

Success is never a one person job, and choosing the right people for your “team” is crucial. Most of us understand models, mentors, and partners, but few of us are good at the “friend” aspect of our village.

Men specifically, aren’t great at friendships. We tend to keep people at arm’s length, because we think that a close relationship is weak, and more and more men are looking to their spouses to fill more and more roles in their lives.

Yes, your spouse should be your friend, but your spouse shouldn’t be your only friend.

Can you point to the people in your life that fill these 4 roles? Or are you lacking one or more of them?

Quotes

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” Khalil Gibran

“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” Woodrow T. Wilson

Reflection Questions

List out the people in your life that fill these 4 roles. Who’s missing?

What roles are you asking your spouse to play that they were never intended to play?

Do you have a friend in your life that you would do literally anything for?

Think of all the ways you’ve succeeded in life. Who are the people that have been there with you for those successes?